08.08.2026 01:50
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, following the backlash over his attempt to open the World Cup to private investors, is now in the spotlight over striking allegations regarding his tenure at UEFA. It has been alleged that while Infantino was UEFA's General Secretary, he had a relationship with a young female employee, who was promoted during that time and received a six-figure payment and funding for an MBA education upon leaving the organization. UEFA confirmed the payment, while Infantino denied all the allegations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has drawn significant backlash for his plan to open the World Cup to private investors and has clashed with UEFA, now faces trouble over a striking allegation related to his past.
Infantino is accused of having had a relationship with a young female employee at the institution during his time as UEFA's general secretary. It is alleged that the woman was promoted during the relationship, and upon leaving UEFA, she received a six-figure severance package and funding for an MBA education. UEFA confirmed the payment and the MBA support, stating that the rules of that period were followed and that employment policies were later tightened. Infantino, for his part, denied all allegations, calling them "lies and slander."
STRIKING CLAIM FROM THE TELEGRAPH
According to a report by the British press outlet The Telegraph, the incident dates back to the period when Infantino served as UEFA General Secretary before rising to the FIFA presidency.
The report alleges that Infantino had a relationship with a young woman working within UEFA. It is claimed that the employee in question was promoted by Infantino while the relationship was ongoing.
The allegations do not end there. It is stated that after the woman left UEFA, she received a six-figure payment from the institution, and the costs of her MBA education at a business school were also covered.
UEFA CONFIRMED THE PAYMENT
UEFA confirmed that a payment was made to the woman and that financing was provided for her MBA education. However, the institution argued that these transactions were carried out in accordance with the rules in effect during Infantino's tenure.
UEFA also stated that it has since strengthened its policies and regulations regarding the working environment. The institution's statement confirmed that the payment was made but did not confirm claims that it constituted hush money or was intended to conceal the relationship.
INFANTINO DENIED ALL ALLEGATIONS
The Infantino camp, on the other hand, categorically denied the accusations.
In a statement released by FIFA, it was stated that Infantino described the allegations as "categorically false" and that the accusations of inappropriate behavior against him were slanderous.
A FIFA spokesperson also argued that no employee within UEFA or FIFA had filed an official complaint regarding Infantino's conduct. It was also stated that transactions related to employees' departures and severance packages were approved by relevant managers in accordance with applicable rules.
NEW BLOW FOLLOWING THE WORLD CUP CRISIS
The allegations come at a time when pressure on Infantino's FIFA presidency is increasing.
Infantino's plan to open a portion of the commercial revenues of the World Cup and other major FIFA events to private investors had triggered a major backlash in the football world. The plan envisioned securing billions of dollars in investment and creating a new structure for FIFA's commercial rights.
However, many football federations, led by UEFA, opposed the plan. UEFA stated that it had lost confidence in Infantino's leadership due to FIFA's plan and threatened to boycott FIFA events.
PLAN WITHDRAWN, BUT THE DEBATE CONTINUES
As a result of increasing pressure, Infantino announced in early August that the investment plan had been abandoned. FIFA acknowledged that the project had caused divisions in the football world and announced it would not continue with the initiative.
However, the retreat did not end the pressure on Infantino. UEFA stated that, in addition to the withdrawal of the plan, the issue of confidence in Infantino's leadership continued.
The Norwegian Football Federation also joined the institutions calling for Infantino's resignation following the crisis.
Thus, under the shadow of the debates over the World Cup's commercial rights, Infantino now faces allegations arising from his past tenure at UEFA regarding his private life and employee relations.